This Is (Not) About Your Body

What does testosterone actually do—and what happens when you start taking it??

After several years on testosterone HRT, I have a LOT of insights to share. In this episode of my podcast, I’m sharing my entire experience with testosterone: why I started, what changed, what surprised me, the benefits and side effects, and everything I wish I’d known before I started.

We get into what testosterone actually does in the body, total vs. free testosterone, SHBG, testing and dosing, pellets vs. injections, energy, mood, muscle, libido, acne, hair changes, PMDD and perimenopause—and why testosterone is still such a complicated and overlooked part of the conversation for women and AFAB people's health.

I also talk about the parts that have been harder to quantify: the subjective and existential lessons testosterone has taught me about gender, sexuality, identity, capacity, and myself.

This is my personal experience, not medical advice—but if you’ve ever wondered what testosterone actually does, what HRT can feel like, or why changing one hormone can affect so many seemingly unrelated things, this is the episode I wish I could have listened to before I started!

I start by answering all the questions people asked about my own personal journey with using GLP-1s to quit vaping (including the specific type and dosage and effects), and I try my hardest to put into the words the intangible changes I experienced to my non-vape-related mental chatter and what I’m calling “coping noise," and "signal clarity."

Then I go through the emerging non-weight-loss related benefits, and where the research is with regard to each one currently—including around addiction, compulsive behaviors, inflammation and chronic pain, and more—as well as how to understand the contradictory information we’re seeing around how GLP-1s impact libido, energy, pleasure, and other motivational “drives.”

Finally I dive deep into the massive alarming risks and concerns that I think we should all have about GLP-1s, in particular for people who are using it to lose weight. including malnutrition, the triggering of old (or new) disordered eating thoughts and feelings, the rise of GLP-1 abuse and increased fatality among people with eating disorders, and the mental health catastrophe that a lot of people face if they need to stop taking them for any reason.

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body!

This week I'm discussing the recent phenomenon of the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives through the lens of the Body Image Avatars. I really enjoyed doing that for the Bachelorette and I'm exploring different avenues of content and tying in popular culture moments with aspects of my work. Again, no worries if you haven't watched or actively don't watch these kind of shows, this is more an analysis of how they can tie into the Avatars with no prior knowledge needed.

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

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My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome back to This Is Not About Your Body!

This week I'm discussing the recent Bachelorette season and particularly the finale through the lens of the Body Image Avatars. Don't worry if you haven't watched or actively don't watch these kind of shows, this is more an analysis of how they can tie into the Avatars with no prior knowledge needed.

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

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My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body! This week I'm joined by Sarah Petroski! Sarah is a sleep coach and sleep medicine post-grad at the University of Oxford who helps tired but wired creative entrepreneurs optimize their sleep. I'm excited to chat with her about common sleep challenges, myths, and solutions.

Find more from Sarah on her website and Instagram:

https://www.sleepfitsarah.com/

https://www.instagram.com/sleepfitsarah/

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

- - - - - -

My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYOz

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body!

This week I'm talking with Jessica Maguire, a physiotherapist and creator of the Nervous System School, who teaches people to repair their nervous system using the vagus nerve. Jessica has a book coming out in August called The Nervous System Reset, I can't wait!

Find more from Jessica on her website and Instagram:

https://www.nervoussystemschool.com/

https://www.instagram.com/repairing_the_nervous_system/

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

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My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body!

This week I'm joined by Emme Reynolds! Emme is a transgender parent to two children in a blended family who shares her journey of self-discovery and transitions on her Instagram and encourages open and honest conversations about gender identity. I've followed Emme for years and I'm so excited to have her on the podcast!

Find more from Emme on her Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/theemmereynolds/

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

- - - - - -

My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body! This week I'm sitting down with Sarah Yudkin to talk about relationship anxiety! Sarah is a relationship anxiety coach, the founder of You Love and You Learn, and the host of the You Love and You Learn podcast, where she explores the nuance and context missing in most modern relationship advice.

Find more from Sarah on her Instagram and find her podcast You Love and You Learn on your favorite podcatcher:

https://www.instagram.com/youloveandyoulearn/

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

- - - - - -

My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body!

This week I'm excited to talk with Luna Matatas! Luna is a sex and pleasure educator with over 18 years of experience teaching sex and empowerment workshops. Today we'll dig into some topics that normally tend to be considered awkward or taboo and I can't wait!

Find more from Luna on her website:

https://lunamatatas.com/en-us

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

- - - - - -

My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO

Welcome to This Is Not About Your Body! This week I'm joined by Brena Jean! Brena is a self-identified fat, black, queer engineer who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Lipedema. She's now a storyteller, speaker, and Lipedema advocate who creates content that teaches, inspires, and gives a spotlight to underrepresented folks.

Find more from Brena on her website and social media:

https://www.brenajean.com/

https://www.tiktok.com/@thebrenajean?lang=en

https://www.instagram.com/thebrenajean/

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My book, "Body Neutral: A Revolutionary Guide to Overcoming Body Image Issues" is OUT NOW! Pick up a copy from your favorite retailer today! I've also released a new course which pairs nicely with the book which you can purchase from my site: The Body Neutrality Blueprint https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/BodyNeutralityBlueprint

- - - - - -

My e-book is out! Grab a copy of Sustainable Movement here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/sustainable-movement-a-body-neutral-guide-to-health-fitness

Intro to the 4 Body Image Avatars: https://youtu.be/SsxQ9qO0-a4

Get my full Body Image Avatar Guide here: https://www.jessikneeland.com/product-page/the-avatar-guide

Find more resources here: https://jessikneeland.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessikneeland/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/jessikneeland

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dgrRFaBYO